Empowering Diverse Learners
A Toolkit for LEARNING SPECIALISTS
LEARNING SPECIALISTS OFTEN WORK IN ISOLATION, facing the challenge of addressing the unique and complex needs of their students without a comprehensive set of tools and strategies. Empowering Diverse Learners aims to bridge this gap by equipping learning specialists with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to support individualized learning effectively. This five-day professional institute provides a collaborative environment where specialists can gain insights, develop practical strategies, connect with thought leaders, and leave with a toolkit designed to enhance their impact in one-on-one or small-group settings.
Monday
Building Foundations
Register and settle into your dorm room. Participate in introductions and a collaborative goal-setting session designed to foster connections within the cohort. Conclude the day with a cocktail hour and gourmet welcome dinner.
Tuesday
Understanding Diverse Learners
Engage with experts as they share evidence-based strategies, case studies, and interventions on learning disabilities, Anxiety/OCD, and ADHD.
Wednesday
Enhancing Practice Through Technology and Collaboration
Explore how generative AI can support diverse learners and learn strategies to collaborate effectively with school professionals.
Thursday
Developmentally Focused Cohorts
Break into developmentally focused cohorts and work collaboratively to develop personalized strategy toolkits tailored to elementary, middle, or high school learners.
Friday
Showcase and Reflection
Finalize your personalized strategy toolkit, showcase ideas to solicit feedback, and reflect on your experience from the week.
Meet Your Facilitators
Gina Ludlow, MA SYC, ABNSP
Gina Ludlow is the Director of the Moorhead Academic Center at the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. A certified school psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience, she is dedicated to helping students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Her areas of expertise include conducting psychological assessments, counseling, and supporting the needs of diverse learners. Gina brings extensive expertise as a certified school psychologist and Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychologists focusing on bridging neuroscience and education to enhance student outcomes.
Christina Agvent, PhD
Dr. Christina Agvent brings over thirty years of experience in education and specializes in training educators to effectively and ethically employ generative AI to support the needs of diverse learners. She provides innovative and practical solutions and is committed to equipping learning specialists with cutting-edge strategies and resources to empower students across educational settings.
Meet Your guest speakers
Emily Winter, NCSP
Dr. Emily Winter is a Licensed Psychologist in Connecticut and New York, as well as a Connecticut and Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She completed her specialist level training in School Psychology at the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at Fairfield University and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, specialization School Psychology at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut where she conducted research on mind-body health interventions.
Rachel Baumann, MA NCSP, LPC
Rachel Baumann is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with expertise in neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and diagnostic assessment from early childhood through adulthood. Her clinical and research expertise is in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-based disorders in adults and children.